A. D. 1778. 615 



1778 — After the declaration of independence theCongrefs of theUnited 

 flates of America fent plenipotentiaries to feveral of the European courts 

 to alTure them of their determination to fupport their independence, to 

 foiicit the afliftance of Germany, France, Spain, and Pruffia ; and in par- 

 ticular to propofe to France a participation of the trade between the 

 United ftatcs and the Weft-India iflands ; and to concert with France and 

 Spain an arrangement for the divifion of the conquefts to be attempted by 

 the arms of the propofed alliance. According to the plan propofed by 

 them, Nova Scotia, Cape-Breton, and the half of Newfoundland (Canada 

 is not mentioned) were to be annexed to the United rtates ; the other 

 half of Newfoundland, with a participation of the fifhery in all the ad- 

 jacent Teas, was to be fecured to France, Britain being totally excluded ; 

 and the Britifh Weft-India iflands, to be reduced by the united forces 

 of France and America, were to belong entirely to France. Spain 

 was to have only the town of Penfacola ; and the free navigation of 

 the MifTifllppi was to be referved to the Americans. 



Though the French were exceedingly eager to enjoy the trade with 

 America (of their fuccefs in which, as we have already feen, they had 

 little reafon to boafl) the government, not being fnfficiently prepared 

 for war, or perhaps not fully determined how to ad *, were very referv- 

 ed and dilatory in formally acknowleging the independent fovereignty 

 of the United ftates, while remonflrances on our fide upon their partial- 

 ity to the Americans, and temporizing anfwers on theirs, fpun out the 

 time till the French Newfoundland fleet got lafe into their ports, and 

 their marine forces were brought to a ftate fit for the commencement 

 of hoftilities : and then a treaty of friendftiip and commerce, and an- 

 other of alliance, with the United ftates of America were figned on the 

 fame day at Paris (6'"' February). 



By the firfl of thefe treaties 



Articles 2, 3, 4,) The contrading powers engaged to treat each-other 

 as the moft favoured nation in all commercial arrangements, in pay- 

 ments of duties, and in all privileges and immunities, in the ports of 

 the French dominions in Europe, and in thofe of the United flates. 



6, 7) The king of France engaged to proted the veflels and effeds 

 of the Americans in his ports, and on his coafts ; and that his ftiips of 

 war ftiould proted the American traders upon the Ocean, lo far as they 

 Ihould keep company with his fliips. And the United flates promifed 

 equal protedion to the vefTels and effeds of the French. 



8) The king promifed to ule his intercft with the emperor of Mo- 

 rocco and the other piratical Moorilh governments of Africa, to ab- 

 ftain from molefting the American trade. 



9) Both parties agreed to abftain from the filliing grounds belonging 



* There is good reafon to believe that the king was dragged iato the war, againft \m own juJgt- 

 mcnt, by thofc about him. - 



